Citrix - HDX Webcam redirection

Last modified by Tobias Wintrich on 2023/06/30 09:20

Citrix HDX Webcam redirection allows you to use your webcams in any application on server side. The image is compressed on the client side and sent to the server. From there it goes on to the meeting software and on the same way back again. While this path is universally applicable, it is not necessarily resource efficient.

Whenever possible and available, an appropriate optimization should be used instead of the Citrix HDX webcam redirection.

All available optimizations are based on the principle that the connection to the meeting software is established directly from the client and the detour via the server is saved. The GUI for controlling the software, however, is still executed directly on the server. This achieves optimal performance while conserving server hardware resources.

Last tested with:

Firmware x64 11.00 build 355
ICA x64 23.05 build 005

Setup on the Thin Client

.Citrix HDX Webcam redirection is configured in the ICA Client in the GLOBAL SETTINGS under the heading "Webcam Settings".

  • Enable HDX Webcam (requires audio input): Enables webcam forwarding (audio input must be enabled).
  • Enable HDX H264 Input: Enables H264 encoded webcam image transmission. Required for 64bit server applications.
  • HDX Webcam Resolution (Width): Here you can set the width of the resolution (in pixels) | Default: 352
  • HDX webcam resolution (height): Here you can set the height of the resolution (in pixels) | Default: 288
  • HDX webcam frames per second: FPS can be set here | Default: 15
64Bit applications on server side:

In older versions the Citrix HDX Webcam redirection could only be used with 32Bit applications on the server side. In the meantime it is also possible to use it with 64Bit applications. The following requirements have to be met:

  • minimum Firmware x64 11.00 build 355
  • minimum ICA x64 23.05 11.00 build 005
  • option "Enable HDX H264 input " must be set

hdx_webcam.PNG

Troubleshooting

Test the camera on the TC

To be able to use the camera for the Citrix HDX Webcam redirection it must first be recognized and used by the client system. This is possible with almost all cameras without any problems and can be done via the comms box under Periphery -> Webcam via the button Test (a program opens on the thin client which displays the current image of the webcam).

hdx_webcam_02.PNG

Test the camera on server side

  1. (only for current Windows Server 2016 and above) Allow Windows to set the camera access permission in the privacy settings.
  2. now open the web page: https://en.webcamtests.com/
  3. a green bar should appear on the web page which shows that a camera has been found (you may have to authorize the browser to access the camera)
  4. now click on "test my camera" (you may need to authorize the browser to access the camera)
  5. your camera picture should now appear
  6. now the camera can be used with any program

Check for 32bit application

Citrix only supported 32bit server applications when using HDX Webcam redirection with Linux clients in previous versions. If the use of the option "Enable HDX H264 input" is not possible for you, the use of the camera is still only possible in 32bit applications.

If you are using a 32 or 64bit application you can find out by using the Task Manager:

Behind 32Bit applications the task manager always shows "(32 Bit)".

 
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